2 Kings 6:8-23
New King James Version
The Blinded Syrians Captured
8 Now the (A)king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”
13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.”
And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in (B)Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, (C)“Do not fear, for (D)those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord (E)opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of (F)horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And (G)He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria.
20 So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!
21 Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My (H)father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”
22 But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? (I)Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So (J)the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.
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2 Kings 6:8-23
21st Century King James Version
8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.”
9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that thou pass not such a place, for thither the Syrians are coming down.”
10 And the king of Israel sent to the place of which the man of God told him and warned him, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said unto them, “Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.”
13 And he said, “Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore sent he thither horses and chariots and a great host, and they came by night and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 And he answered, “Fear not, for they that are with us are more than they that are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord and said, “Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness.” And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 And Elisha said unto them, “This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek.” But he led them to Samaria.
20 And it came to pass, when they had come into Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha when he saw them, “My father, shall I smite them? Shall I smite them?”
22 And he answered, “Thou shalt not smite them. Wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.”
23 And he prepared great provision for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
Read full chapterScripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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